Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-01-27

ing some superstition connected with
} them which prevents their eating them.
In fact, they class them with turkey buz-
yards without moments hesitation. To
a white man who has the utmost regard
for turkey as the finest game bird in
America, as we'll rs the most toothsome
one, this appears strange enough.
The feathers flew in every direction.
ana there were not complexities enough
to supply the demand. | thought about
what Gov. McNutt, of Mississippi, said
about these fowls; "a turkey said he,
speaking to some of his friends, sis a
most inconvenient bird. There is too
much for one person TO eat and not
enough for two" Each soldier had at least
one on that occasion, and when sufficient
ly boiled ind well seasoned with salt and
pepper the result was all that could be
desired. / never saw men more busy than
these men were on that occasion, nor did
| ever see any enjoy themselves more
thoroughly notwithstanding the fierce
wind that was blowing round about, throw
ing the fires in great sheets of flame here
and there, but as there was plenty of wood
this made very little difference.
Wild turkeys are still quite plentiful in
many parts of Texas, and when fsttened
upon pecan nuts nothing can be better.
1t is mistake to believe they do not fly
to considerable distances In this in
stance the birds came from long ways
off, where they had been feeding on the
uplands We had simply stumbled upon
their roostinR place, which had perhaps
never been disturbed before; at lea I |
think not, as they looked upon us with
great surprise until we commenced shoot
ing at them. These birds have great
faith in their leader, which is always an
old gobbler, and until he takes flight TIE
others do not think of going. They
looked around in a dazed- kind of way,
which was distressing, while on the trees
above us, and were, in fact quite hope
less.
We had no way to make ourselves com
Portable, and the wind went through our
blankets easily. The shelter of a log was
most welcome, and we heaped up all the
dry leaves we could find to help shelter US
from the piercing blast. The Mexicans
in this region do not mind these storms
as much as do the white men from the
north as they are more accustomed to
them, having faced them from childhood.
They get down close TO the ground and
then wrap their thick blankets around
them, and, with their cigarettes, appear
quite contented. Ii not contented, they
are quiet, and do not fret and complain
over matters which they can not control.
The signing of the wind in the tree tops
on that occasion was something long TO
be remembered, and many a rheumatism
was contracted as well as neuralgia pains.
Round about us the scenery was wild
enough, huge rocks jutting out here and
there, ON which there was not very much
vegetation aside from the pretentious
yucca and inevitable prickly pear. Grass
seed was plentiful on which the turkeys
fattened when the wepther was propitious
The region near us was noted haunt of
the Commaebe and Apache Indians, and
had been used by them in previous years
as place for reeHperation for themsel-
YES and ponies.
There was a story to the effect that old
Mangus Colorado had been down as far
as this place on one of his raids, when he
successfully attacked number of people
travelling along the road. Before coming
out had been talking to an intelligent
American, who had been prisoner
among the Indians and had escaped from
them, and who assured me that they had
several white prisoners. He said he was
out picking berries on one occasion when
he saw a handsome white girl near him
and called out:
"Hello! sissy" which she seemed to
understand at once.
When he went back some of the Indians
went TO old Mangus and informed him
| that the American had been talking to
the little girl. He was Immediately sent
for, and thought his hour had come.
Old Mangus said TO him: you have
been talking TO the little ghite girl.
If you do it again | will kill you. | in
tend to keep her until she is grown mp,
VIII en- ! will make her my wife. Look
out now aud do not be caught again.
He said he took special pains after that
to keep out of the way of tho girl, who
had been taken in some fight where her
pareats were killed. Mangus was dirty
old villain, who committed many depre-
dations in his time, cad his name was a
terror through southern New Mexico.
One who has studied the characteristics
of wild turkeys tells us that these birds
are the guardians of each other, and the
first who sees a hawk or eagle gives a note
of alarm, on which all within hearing lie
close to the ground. AS they usually
roost in focks, perched on the naked
branches of trees, they are easily discov-
cred by the large owls, and when they are
attacked by these proving birds often
escape by somewhat remarkable man
euver. The owl sails around the spot to
select his prey, but, notwithstanding the
almost inaudible action OF his pinions,
the quick ear of one Of the slumberers
pereeives tile danger, which is immedi-
ately announced to the whole party by a
"cluck."
Thus alarmed, they rise ON their legs
and watch the motions of the owl, who,
darting like an arrow, would inevitably
secure the individual at which he aimed
did not the latter suddenly drop his head,
squat, and spread his tail over his back:
the owl then chances over without inGict-
ing any injury at the very instance that
the turkey suffers himself to fall headloBg
toward the earth, where he is secure from
his dreaded enemy. Though thes birds
love to remain on the ground during the
daytime, they are remarkable for seeking
the highest points on the approach of
darkness.
4 L.. l. L. /. 10,